Leading US medical organizations and experts have issued recommendations on COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines ahead of the 2026–27 winter season.Developed with the University of Minnesota’s Vaccine Integrity Project and the American Medical Association (AMA), the recommendations were published in JAMA.The guidance aims to help doctors and patients make vaccination decisions and reduce the risk of severe respiratory illness.What Do The 2026 Recommendations Say?Flu VaccineChildren: Annual vaccination from 6 months of age.Adults 19–64: Annual vaccination.Adults 65+: Annual vaccination, with high-dose vaccine preferred.Pregnancy: Annual vaccination; avoid the nasal-spray vaccine.Immunocompromised: Annual vaccination from 6 months; avoid nasal-spray vaccine.Healthcare personnel: Annual vaccination.RSV VaccineInfants: All infants under 8 months who did not receive protection through vaccination during pregnancy.Children 8–19 months: Vaccination for those in certain risk groups.Adults 50–74: One-time vaccination for those at increased risk of severe RSV.Adults 75+: One-time vaccination.Pregnancy: One-time vaccination during the first eligible pregnancy, at 32–36 weeks, between September 1 and March 1.Immunocompromised adults 18+: Single dose; those under 18 should use shared decision-making.COVID-19 VaccineChildren 6–23 months: Annual updated vaccination.Children 2–18: Annual vaccination for certain risk groups or if desired.Adults 19–64: Annual updated vaccination.Adults 65+: Annual updated vaccination, followed by a second dose six months later.Pregnancy: Annual updated vaccination.Immunocompromised: Annual updated vaccination from 6 months of age.Healthcare personnel: Annual updated vaccination.CDC Has Not Issued New COVID, RSV GuidanceThe recommendations come as the CDC has not issued new guidance for RSV or COVID-19 vaccination for the 2026–27 season.The CDC updated its COVID-19 guidance last year, moving away from a broad recommendation and advising patients to consult a healthcare provider about vaccination.For flu, the CDC updated its clinical guidance on Tuesday but said recommendations from the July 2025 immunisation schedule remain in effect for the 2026–27 season.The updated flu guidance does not mention the first mRNA flu vaccine, which was approved by the FDA last month for older adults.Respiratory Viruses Continue To Pose RisksFlu: During 2025–26, interim CDC estimates indicated at least 390,000 hospitalisations and 24,000 deaths.COVID-19: The virus is less severe than during the pandemic but continues to affect older adults, infants, pregnant women and immunocompromised people. It was associated with an estimated 4.6 million–12.9 million illnesses, 140,000–240,000 hospitalisations and 15,000–42,000 deaths.RSV: Infants and older adults remain at greatest risk of severe disease. RSV caused an estimated 2.8 million–5.8 million outpatient visits, 170,000–340,000 hospitalisations and up to 25,000 deaths.What Did The Vaccine Evidence Show?Flu: A review of 5,800+ studies found vaccination reduced hospitalisation and mortality among high-risk groups. High-dose vaccines provided greater protection against hospitalisation in older adults. No new safety concerns were identified.COVID-19: Of 11,000+ studies screened, 155 met the review criteria. Updated vaccines continued to protect against hospitalisation, intensive care admission and death, particularly among older and high-risk groups. No new safety concerns were found in comparative studies.RSV: Of 2,000+ studies assessed, 75 were included. Vaccination reduced severe illness and hospitalisation among older adults and pregnant women, while nirsevimab reduced severe RSV illness in infants. No new safety concerns were identified.Experts Call For Clear Vaccine GuidanceBruce Gellin of the Vaccine Integrity Project said Americans should have access to the latest scientific evidence and recommendations from medical experts to make informed vaccination decisions.“Whatever happens to the federal vaccine policy process, we cannot lower that scientific standard,” he said.